The Reemergence of Whiskey Row? (16. April 2007, 08:27 by Derek Young) ~ Toward A New Tacoma
Paul Ellis had an OpEd in the TNT yesterday and has written on the BIA Blog today about the need for an entertainment district approach to resolving competing business interests and conflicts in the Theater District. It’s an interesting idea that seems to toss aside top-down city planning by engaging the business owners, residents, and property owners toward the creation of a shared vision. We want to see it work. Come to the table and join the conversation!
Link to the BIA Blog
Link to The News Tribune
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Interesting concept. If this can bring some more normalcy to the area at night, it will be a good idea. Paul first raised the idea of the Responsible Hospitality Institute online in Ed’s Diner.
Apparently, enacting a “entertainment district” could entail implementing a Right to Downtown type ordinance in the Theater District. Of course, that is just one of the many tools they have and Tacoma could make its own ordinance.
Paul Ellis proposes the adoption of a Theater District nightclub ordinance based on a model developed by the Responsible Hospitality Hospitality Institute (RHI).
The RHI is underwritten by alcohol companies. I read one of the “tools” that they use to balance the concerns of all stakeholders in an area – it is called the “Right to Party” ordinance.
It seems to me that what is being proposed here is a type of blanket ordinance to create an anything goes party zone that anyone who happens to have the misfortune of living in has to accept because it has been formally designated as such.
I strongly object – the City of Tacoma required me to put in residential units as part of my mixed use building – I expect to have equal say in how this area is designated and what I have the right to expect as a resident. Here is an excerpt of one of RHI’s “tool” ordinances:
“You are hereby notified that the property you own, are renting, leasing, using, occupying or acquiring an interest in is located within the downtown specific plan area. You may be subject to impacts, including inconvenience and discomfort, from lawful activities occurring within the downtown specific plan area. Impacts may include, but are not limited to: Noise from music, dancing and voices associated with permitted downtown uses and activities, odors associated with restaurants, business operations and special events, traffic congestion, street closures and traffic rerouting, exclusion of vehicle access to certain areas during special events, increased pedestrian activity, trash and recycling collection, including trash and recycling collection before 6 a.m., railroad operations, including rail activity associated with passenger rail operations, outdoor sales of merchandise and outdoor restaurant seating, festivals, parades and other civic and cultural activities, generally high activity levels occuring on a 24-hour basis, including impacts during late night and early morning hours, high levels of lighting and illumination, and noise and other impacts associated with the operation of any permitted use located in the downtown specific plan area.
One or more of the inconveniences described above may occur as a result of downtown operations and activities which are in compliance with existing laws and regulations and accepted customs and standards. If you own, lease, rent or otherwise utilize property within the downtown specific plan area, you should be prepared to accept such inconveniences or discomfort as a normal and necessary aspect of owning, living in, operating a business in, or otherwise utilizing an area with a vibrant downtown character.”
2 | Posted by Laura H. | Apr 16, 12:21 PM
Visioning is a good thing. The City should take on some visioning efforts for all of the downtown neighborhoods, not just those with conflicts today.
Laura’s quote points to one vision of the area, but I would expect an honest engagement of the stakeholders of the area would result in something that appeals to more.
While there are certain areas of downtown and businesses that seem to focus on the “right to party” groups (Neener’s to McCabe’s come to mind), I don’t think of this as the Theater District. Maybe I’m just not visiting the right places in the Theater District.
Are there existing problems? (The cited language seems too agressive to me.)
3 | Posted by DavidS | Apr 16, 12:48 PM
Everything would be better in the theater district if the city would just remove all the chairs from the link rail stop. Hobos would be forced to sit on the dirty ground where they belong with the other beasts.
Furthermore what about the folks who like the fact that downtown tacoma is utterly devoid of non-hobo related activity at night?
Why must we go out of our way just to make things more comfortable to the yuppies?
Who is going to stand up for the weirdos?
4 | Posted by RR Anderson | Apr 16, 12:58 PM
Laura’s quote points to one vision of the area, but I would expect an honest engagement of the stakeholders of the area would result in something that appeals to more.
The good news is that almost all of the different businesses including bars and restaurants are working well together. Most of the problems have to do with the issues addressed last year on March 30th of last year by the New Tacoma Neighborhood. Theres only one or two businesses that have caused any problems.
Whiskey Row, eh? I think we need a Whiskey Row that Willie Nelson would approve of:
I’m drowning in a whiskey river,
Bathing my mem’ried mind in the wetness of its soul.
Feeling the amber current flowin’ from my mind.
And warm an empty heart you left so cold.
Whiskey River take my mind,
Don’t let her mem’ry torture me.
Whiskey River don’t run dry,
You’re all I’ve got, take care of me.
6 | Posted by Crenshaw Sepulveda | Apr 16, 10:22 PM
Most of the problems have to do with the issues addressed last year on March 30th of last year by the New Tacoma Neighborhood.
It sounds like many of the issues from that meeting are being addressed. I’m not sure how Paul’s proposal advances those issues further. It sounds like there are other concerns out there.
7 | Posted by DavidS | Apr 17, 07:52 AM
Everything would be better in the theater district if the city would just remove all the chairs from the link rail stop. Hobos would be forced to sit on the dirty ground where they belong with the other beasts.
Please tell me this was said tongue-in-cheek…?
Theres only one or two businesses that have caused any problems
To which businesses are you referring? It seems to me that there is a great representation of our local downtown businesses in the council.
8 | Posted by 253pride | Apr 17, 12:37 PM
I’ve got a great idea for developing a vibrant downtown area in Tacoma! It works like this: we all move downtown and then start complaining about how it’s not quiet and peaceful. If anyone tries to open a venue with music or alcohol, we can all band together (pardon the pun) to try to stop them.
It’s DOWNTOWN, people!
More to the point, it’s downtown Tacoma, which has been quiet for decades. The good news is that if you want a quiet, genteel downtown, your goal should be easy to attain. Just watch your step – mind the tumbleweed.
9 | Posted by Erik S | Apr 17, 04:31 PM
Please tell me this was said tongue-in-cheek…?
RR Anderson statements on this blog have been a subject of discussion on numerous occassions. Some complimentary, others not so.
Fortunately, he clears up this issue with an explanation of his point of view on his site Holistic Forge Works.
Whiskey Row? I’ll totally support that, and maybe it will give the Indian Casinos (Puyallup) a run for the money, the money that can be obtained off sleaze. Sorry Exit 133-ers, the money is in the Whiskey Row moniker. Remember, at one time Tacoma’s municipal revenues principally came from monthly “fines” (licenses) on the Whiskey Row bordellos. This existed until the advent of Council-Manager government in the 1950s (after the Army almost put T-town off limits according to the News Tribune).
Tacoma, accept your grit. And make money off it.
Bring back the RED LIGHT DISTRICT.
Really, we really don’t need yet another antique store, nor a crystal shop.
(yes, this post is slightly cynical)
11 | Posted by reg | Apr 17, 10:24 PM
Which came first? The Bordello or the Military Base? Honestly one cannot exist without the other.
Even so, Brick City is all the fun I think I can handle. And by “Fun” I mean “Christian Hip-hop Nightclub Fun” which is not the same thing as normal fun.
Also if you aren’t doing anything wrong, then you don’t need to worry about being video taped by angry gallery/winebar owners.
So What is the problem?
12 | Posted by RR Anderson | Apr 17, 10:48 PM
It seems to me that something needs to exist before you start to regulate the problems it may cause. I’d worry about a “Whiskey Row” in Tacoma if it actually existed and if it were a problem. I’ve heard of “if you build it they will come” but I’ve never heard of “if you regulate it they will build it and then they will come” but then again maybe that was the motto at the old bordellos.
13 | Posted by Crenshaw Sepulveda | Apr 17, 10:59 PM
RR Anderson statements on this blog have been a subject of discussion on numerous occassions. Some complimentary, others not so.
Thanks for the heads-up Erik.
I know I wouldn’t want to be forced to move out of my house, so I’m sure the tenants of the Winthrop aren’t thrilled to be forced out, and neither would be all the partners of the Brick City project, and I’m sure the business owners and residents around the India Mahal block don’t really want to go anywhere either. The theatres aren’t gonna shut down, Frank Russell seems to be stickin’ around, and the city officers will continue to have to walk two blocks (since they didn’t get their own light rail stop…yet. =-] ). All these groups have a legitimate reason to be there. Forcing anybody out of the area seems like downtown genicide. That’s why it’s important to go to the council meetings. I’d bet they ALL want the same things…reduced crime, improved quality of life, success, and peace. Don’t fight – talk. Don’t support one person – support the community. Support collaboration. ANYTHING can be worked out through open discussion if the will to do so is there.
14 | Posted by 253pride | Apr 17, 11:32 PM
Thanks 253pride. I think we need a diverse downtown that embraces all economic strata and addresses the issues of homelessness in a humane way. Building a playground for the wealthy is not the answer. A downtown as a skid row is not the answer. The answer is to have an inclusive downtown that works for all and is shared by all. I really believe that out downtown would be just as good in the future if the Winthrop remains as subsidized housing and is not converted into a 4 star hotel or condo. This Tacoma version of ethnic cleansing is just shameful and really misguided.
15 | Posted by Crenshaw Sepulveda | Apr 18, 12:01 AM
What’s shameful and misguided is using words like “ethnic cleansing” and “genocide.”
16 | Posted by ca | Apr 18, 11:42 AM
What’s shameful and misguided is using words like “ethnic cleansing” and “genocide.” True, but I do like the words and they seem to be more honorable and truthful then “urban renewal” or “gentrification”. The vet is not going to kill your cat, just put it to sleep. To displace people from their homes is to do incredible violence to them. A good many that are living at the Withrop now will end up as homeless. Any nice words for the people that will end up homeless? I guess they just have to take one for the team.
17 | Posted by Crenshaw Sepulveda | Apr 18, 03:01 PM
A good many that are living at the Withrop now will end up as homeless.
You may want to read the plans Prium has for the Winthrop which include building replacement housing for current residents which was part of the requirements of the loan the city gave them. Exit 133 also has alot of archived articles on this issue.
Crenshaw Sepulveda: Any nice words for the people that will end up homeless? (looking for a P.C. term here?)
The Pollitically Correct Dictionary http://www.funny2.com/dictionary.htm says Homeless person: residentially flexible individual.
20 | Posted by Janine | Apr 19, 11:04 AM
I just received the below notice for the Entertainment District Proposal:
________________
What: The BIA is hosting an open meeting for the Theater local property owners, businesses, and residents to discuss the prospects for adapting the area into an Entertainment District as described by the Responsible Hospitality Institute.
Where: Pantages Theater Lobby
When: Wednesday, May 2nd @ 3:30pm
Please try your best to be in attendance at this meeting as we want to include all members of the community who have a stake in the future and revitalization of this area.
If there are any other members of the community whom you know and feel would have an interest or concern in this meeting please feel free to bring them.
We ask that you RSVP for this meeting and RSVP for other attendees you may be inviting as space will be limited.
______________
Because the proposal is based on the Responsible Hospitality Institute, reading their web site is informative as to where they are coming from.
Also, see the BIA web site for their RHI president’s input in the matter and the description of their group.
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